Back to School. Already.

Hmm.  My last post was July 1.  This post is August 1.  Is there a pattern developing?  Hopefully not.  I've been crazy busy, but I'll try to do better. 

I promise, Mom!  :)

Today was Kaitlyn's first day of the new school year.  She's a third-grader!  Oh, my.  And I haven't even shared with you her spring pictures from second grade. 

And let me just tell ya, school pictures ain't what they used to be. 

Exhibit A:

See? 

Exhibit B:

I'll post back-to-school pictures in a few days, as well as pictures of another cute little one who's growing like a weed! 

cj

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY!

I cannot believe it's been twelve months. 

Seems like this was just yesterday.

And now -- in Mickey Mouse Clubhouse style! -- we are celebrating

his first birthday!

All decked out . . .

Molly in her Minnie Mouse outfit, and Kaitlyn in her Mickey Mouse dress.

Lots of pictures left to edit, but I wanted to make sure and get this post

up on this, the big day, as we celebrate twelve months of sweetness!

And speaking of sweetness.  I wish I had a little more of Nolan's arms in this shot, but it's still one of my favorites...  :)

Happy Birthday, Nolan!

Mommo

Need another reason to smile today?



What can I say?  Guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.

I think his big sister would be content to sit there and turn that handle as long as he wanted.  You would too, wouldn't you? 

Now go back and watch it again.  You know you want to!  :)

cj

Worth Pulling Over . . .

Sometimes you've just gotta pull into a parking lot and shoot a little video. 

That's what Ryan did today. 

Miss Kaitlyn loves to sing.  Always has. 

Whether she knows the song or not, she's going to sing along. 

The first time I heard of The Band Perry (the group singing in the video) was when K asked me to turn up the radio.  I asked her who it was, not really expecting her to know.  Yeah, right.  

There's one country song she sings -- I'm horrible with groups and names, so I can't tell you who -- where the female singer has the most southern twang I've ever heard. 
Kaitlyn nails it, spot on.  Cracks me up.

So, anyway, as they're riding down the road today, Ryan pulls over
and documents what he gets to hear all the time. 

When K was just a wee thing, she used to perform for us all the time, whether it be singing, puppets, whatever.  Usually singing.  And she always liked an introduction -- a big introduction -- as she stood off in the hallway. 

So, honored blog readers, I present to you now the one, the only, the super-talented Miss Kaitlyn, coming to you straight from Ryan's backseat!

Enjoy the show!

I've got a little video to share in the next day or so of a certain little soon-to-be one-year-old that's guaranteed to make you smile laugh. 

So check back soon!

Mommo

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

A tribute to my Dad

through one of my older scrapbook pages

And a close-up of the 18-year-old Dapper Dude . . .

And a look at the journaling tag . . .

And this is a re-post from my Mother's Day post. 

I'm not so sure I mentioned that I'm also in this picture . . .

as this was taken while Mom was expecting with me.

But I am sure that I didn't record here on the blog what I journaled on the back of this layout.  And I think I shall.  I might add that there wasn't really any journaling intended,
but I flipped the page over and just started writing. 

And crying.  But that's me, always tearing up. 

So had I intended to be "composing," there would be better sentence structure, an opening and closing sentence that perhaps tied together a little better. 

You get the idea.  Here's what's written:

"My roots - my parents.  My foundation.  Thanks to my parents, I learned to love and trust the Lord.  They raised their family in a Christian home.  I learned the importance of family - immediate and extended.  I learned the value of good work ethic.  I learned the art of spending money wisely and stretching what you have.  I learned what a home is - safety and security - shelter- and how to respect and care for it (and how to clean it . . . really well - thanks, Mom - and how to maintain it - thanks, Dad).  I never really learned a lot about cooking, though.  And that's okay.  I learned kindness.  I learned honesty.  I learned patience.  I learned forgiveness.  I learned tolerance.  I learned to keep my mouth shut.  I learned to listen.  I learned the importance of and have enjoyed the rewards of faithful prayer.  I've learned about being organized and planning ahead.  I've learned all these things and so much more.  I've been learning for 50 years now.   I've not mastered all of these things, but they are instilled in me.  They are a part of my roots.  My parents lead by example.  I listen.  I watch.  I learn.  Someday I hope to master, and I hope to pass these things on..."

Then I went back and added:      

"Oops.  Realized I wasn't finished.  I learned about sacrifice.  I learned you reap what you sow.  I learned generosity.  I learned the easy way isn't always the best way.      CJ     April  '09"

And if I might clarify a few points, my lack of interest in cooking is no reflection on Mom.  She's a fabulous cook, she enjoys it, and she spoils her family like crazy.  And the part about keeping my mouth shut, I don't mean that to imply that I got in trouble for talking.  It just means that I oftentimes keep my thoughts to myself.  You'll more likely hear me say "I wish I had said..." as opposed to "I wish I hadn't said..."   Not always, mind you.  We're all a work in progress; right?  Mother is by no means a big talker, but I think this trait probably comes from Dad.

Let me just end with one of my favorite pictures,

because it's my blog and I can.  :)

Happy Father's Day!

Love you, Dad!

Cj

Best Copier EVER

It was time for a new copier, and FedEx delivered today. 

Man, did they ever deliver.

Is this not the best lookin' copier you've ever seen?





The picture quality is poor, but I wanted you to enjoy the entire package... 









And, yes, that's milk running out of his mouth.  Whole milk, that is.

(click on pictures to enlarge)



And this sippy cup business is just too much for me. 

What's happening to my wittle baby?

Don't even try telling me he's going to be a year old in two short weeks.

Where has the time gone?

M'mo

The year of the Cicada

IF YOU CAN'T BEAT 'EM . . .

. . . CATCH 'EM!

And then pick "onions" to feed them . . .

Once you're sure they're nice and comfy, look for a few snails to add throw in for good measure.

I'm so glad we'll have 13 years before these obnoxious Cicadas throw their next party.  Aside from the amazingly loud clicking or chirping or whatever irritating sound it is they make, it sounds like there is a flying saucer hovering in the woods across the street.  A few more weeks and they should be gone. 
Thank goodness. 

Then we can catch lightning bugs.  Now, that's my kind of bug!

Stay cool!

(Or if you live in Middle Tennessee, just stay inside.)

Cj

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her.

                                                                                                    Proverbs 31:28

                                                                                                                               
This seems like a good day to share a couple of my older scrapbook pages that are dear to my heart... 

In the layout below, Mom was expecting with me.  :)

I am the luckiest daughter in the world. 

Well, at least one of the three luckiest daughters; right, sisters?

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Love you!

Cj

And let me just add that
I lucked up in the mother-in-law department too!  :)

Saturday night popcorn!

Good Popcorn

Bad Popcorn

It's a nasty job, but it's gotta be done.  Chipper wasn't wild about the idea initially. . .
and now he's suggesting we go ahead and do the den.   :)

Honestly, the kitchen already looks better

after just being scraped and still in its raw form.  

Not that we're done, mind you.  Oh, no.

I do believe the room is bigger than it was this morning.

But this is right up our alley. 

There are few things more rewarding than a good successful DIY project . . .

even on a Saturday night.

Think about us next time you enjoy some good popcorn!

Later!

cj

Easter Chicks

     This silly little chickadee thinks it's high time I put away my Easter decor . . .

And she he said he wanted to be on the mantle with everybody else next year. 

And I'm sure I'll oblige . . .  

as I have since found {after Easter has come and gone!} the little chocolate bunny that usually takes up residence under glass this time of year. 

And speaking of silly chicks . . .

(I think Mom is trying to look mean.  Can you imagine???)

Born to Shop

(This meat selection is so exciting!  Publix rocks!)

Shopping isn't for everybody, but for some kiddos it's the best thing ever. 

I don't doubt but what Ryan makes more stops at Publix these days than may actually be necessary. 



  

And I know for a fact that he has taken Nolan to Walmart 

for the sole purpose  of showing him off letting him have a little fun. 





(Attention Walmart Shoppers.  All cute Kentucky Wildcat fans, please give us a big smile!)

  

Yeah, I'm thinking Daddy has a little fun too.

Cheap entertainment is the way to go!

Who knows. I might even enjoy grocery shopping with this little fellow smiling at me!

Thanks for shopping stopping by!

Cj

Oh, Glorious Day!

It's not unusual for me to pull out the tissue during the worship music at church. 
This song gets me every time, whether at church or in the car. 

It's especially meaningful on the day He arose.

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He’s coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day

I hope you all had -- or have -- a glorious Easter!

Love!

cj

Well, Hello, Dolly . . .

... coming soon to an elementary school near me!

Can I just say how much fun it was getting her costume together?! 

The dress was from Ebay.  Her great-grandmother came through with the straw hat, and then Kaitlyn and I shopped for the supplies to redo it. 
I hadn't played with my glue gun in ages.  What fun!  

Not pictured are her gloves and her waiter outfit.  She needed black pants, black shoes, a white shirt, and black bowtie.  That one wasn't as fun to put together.  Although, we did opt for some comfy black pants with a coin pocket that had a little peace sign it, which I sewed a piece of black felt over.  (What do ya know, something she can acutally wear again...)  Her great-grandmother once again had gloves and a bowtie that had been in a drawer for 30 years. 

Sometimes it pays to hold onto stuff you think you'll never use.  :)

Dress rehearsals begin next week.  Stay tuned for pictures. 

Sorry to have gone AWOL again.  It had nothing to do with losing in the NCAA tournament.  It's just a coincidence that was the last post.  ha!

Waiting for a certain someone to get a certain piece of jewelry returned from the jeweler so I can do a certain post about a certain upcoming event . . . 

Again, stay tuned!

Thanks for visiting. 

"It's so nice to have you back where you belong..."

(couldn't resist)

Later!

cj

MARCH MADNESS (in april)

TONIGHT.

GO BIG BLUE!

We've developed a routine for watching ballgames. 

We place our two green chairs in front of the tv and put the ottoman in front of them.  There's a little tole-painted table that goes between the chairs to hold our beverages.  We've been doing this for a couple years.

Now, our tv is plenty big, and our room is plenty small, but sitting closer to the tv makes it more of an event, I guess.  Or perhaps it's Chip's subtle suggestion that the tv, indeed, is not large enough.

Anywho . . . see the yellow, kitchen chair in the picture below?  

That's a new addition to the setup.  It made its first appearance last weekend.

Apparently, one of us  may have the propensity to get rather, well, passionate in tense game situations.  And, apparently, one of us thinks the other one needs an obstacle to prevent that particular passionate one from jumping in front of the television screen in an attempt to, say, help out defensively and, you know, block a shot or two.  Or maybe set a pick, if a little offensive help is in order.

Yeah, the chair is on my side.  So what?  

I can set a mean pick. 

And I just may have to move that chair tonight.

March Madness.

Love it!

Cj

A Quarter of a Century Young

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MOLLY!



Ryan says we've been using these party hats since about his 10th birthday. 
I think he's probably right.  :)



Molly turned 25 Sunday, and they came over Monday for a birthday dinner. 

No pics to document it, but we had fried chicken salads and ice-cream cake. Yummy! 

Celebrating Molly's birthday and her being a part of our family was occasion to bust out the scrappy supplies.  It was long overdue.  Thanks, Molly, for inspiring me to get creative again!  :)   For those (one or two) of you interested, I photographed the card.  

... and even the inside, since it's newsworthy in and of itself, and deserving of a post all its own! 

Love you, Molly! 

Cj

 

Indulge me briefly, please . . .

These pics are from a couple Saturdays ago during a Kentucky game.

{Go Big Blue!} 

Kaitlyn was doing the outstretched arm, self-portrait thing with my {new and I'm loving it!} iPhone. 

Not being one to pass up a photo opportunity, I had to take a couple too.  And this is my favorite picture right now.  

Kaitlyn set this as the "wallpaper" on my phone. 

Makes me smile every time I see it.

And it would be selfish of me not to share the smiles with you!  :)

CJ

Mommo

And he's off . . .



And life as we knew it is forever changed . . .

I've watched this video so many times my cheeks are hurting.

Thanks for checking the neglected little blog o' mine. 

I've got more to share . . . even something kinda scrappy . . . so come back soon!

Cj

1/11/11

Kaitlyn spent a snow day with us on January 11th, and, as always, there was craft time.  I was wrapping up something in my office {or maybe checking email} and she said she would be waiting in our scraproom. 

This is what I saw when I went in there . . .

This is Kaitlyn sitting like a young lady.  You see, they'd been having etiquette classes at Kids Club.  She demonstrated how a young lady should walk, too, as well as various morsels of general information.  Love this!  Emily Post in the making? 

After twisting her arm ** ha! yeah, right! ** she kept her pose while I grabbed the camera.  I wish I had set it on automatic mode rather than trying to hone my photography skills, but, alas, the pictures are what they are. 

There's no denying the sweet little subject deserved a better photographer.

After crafting for a bit, she was off to the kitchen window to see if the little neighbor girl was home yet.

 Do you think she was home?  

This sad face says it all.

But hot chocolate should make everything better . . .

That, and a game of Words With Friends with Poppy.

What better way to spend 1/11/11?

I apologize for my prolonged absence to the hundreds  dozens  three of four of you my mom, who checks regularly, hoping to see pictures.  I'll be back soon.  Promise!  

Cj